RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside forced overtime down the stretch against Hawai'i on Saturday night at the SRC Arena before dropping a 76-73 heartbreaker to the Rainbow Warriors.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• UC Riverside spread its scoring evenly throughout the first half, led by seven points from Barrington Hargress. 
• The Highlanders outscored Hawai'i in the first 20 minutes in points off turnovers (6-2) and bench points (9-2).  
• Niyi Olabode got the SRC Arena crowd rocking with a three followed by a breakaway two-hand dunk to put UCR up 18-10 at 8:49.  
• Luke Turner knocked down his first three of the night at 13:19 of the second half to put the Highlanders within four after having a previous three waived off. Turner's three made it a 10-2 run for UCR, who slowly but steadily began to make life difficult for Hawai'i.  
• UC Riverside continued to match UH punch for punch with a number of clutch field goals to put the Highlanders within striking distance of what would have been win number six in their last seven.  
• UCR hit six of its final seven field goals to force overtime after ending regulation on a 10-5 run.  
• Nate Pickens led UCR with 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting while Barrington Hargress went for 15 points with six rebounds and five assists. Pickens was integral to UCR's second-half push, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the second half. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS 

• Kyle Owens has now logged eight rebounds in three of his last four games after going for 12 against the Rainbow Warriors.  
• Owens also now owns four of the Highlanders' last five double doubles following Saturday's 12-point, 12-rebound performance.  
• UC Riverside's 40 rebounds were the most in a game since pulling down 45 on February 3 at CSUN.  
• UCR's six turnovers were tied for the second fewest in a game this season.  

UP NEXT 

• UC Riverside will host Cal State Fullerton for Senior Night on Thursday, March 7 at the SRC Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.